Best Online Blackjack Casino Games

Are you new to Online Blackjack? Want to refresh your knowledge, or maybe you're interested in the differences between online and offline play? Then take a seat and discover everything you need to know about playing blackjack online.

Let's start with the basic rules and a description of how blackjack works in practice. If you plan on playing online blackjack for real money, make sure you have an account with a cash balance. If you’ve yet to pick an online casino site, we can recommend some of the best online blackjack casinos on the market - Start by taking a look at the recommended sites above.

Once you're logged in and your account is funded, choose your Online Blackjack game variation, and then select one of the table limit options. Be sure to choose limits that you are comfortable with. You can also leave the table at any time and select new limits that suit your style.

Card Values

Cards in Online Blackjack are worth their face value and all picture cards are worth 10. The only exception is the Ace card, which can be worth 1 or 11.

So, a 4 card is worth 4 points, and a Queen card is worth 10 points. If this is your Blackjack hand, then you currently have 14 points in total.

Making a Bet

To stake your first bet, choose your chip size and place it on the table. You can place multiple chips to increase your bet. For example, setting 2 x £0.50 chips means your total bet will be £1.

Single-Hand & Multi-Hand

Some tables are single-hand, which allows you to play with one hand of cards. Multi-hand tables will enable you to sit at multiple seats and play more than one hand at once.

Order of Play

Once you've placed your first bet and clicked or pressed DEAL, the game will begin.

1. You'll be dealt two cards face up, and the Dealer will be dealt two cards – one face up and one face down. (Pay close attention to the dealer’s face-up card, as it will help with your next decision).
2. Now decide if you want to Stand, Hit, Split, Double Down, or Surrender.
3. The Dealer will take his turn last. He will Hit when the value of his hand is worth 16 or less and Stand when his cards are worth from 17 to 21.
4. You will win when:
   
   1. The total of your hand is higher than the dealers, but less than 21 or equal to 21.
   2. Or if the dealer busts (holds more than 21) and you did not go over 21.
   3. Blackjack – if your starting hand contains an Ace and a 10-value card, congratulations you've  got a Blackjack and have won the round with a higher payout of 3:2. But be careful, the Dealer can also deal a Blackjack to himself.

Card Values

Cards in Online Blackjack are worth their face value and all picture cards are worth 10. The only exception is the Ace card, which can be worth 1 or 11.

So, a 4 card is worth 4 points, and a Queen card is worth 10 points. If this is your Blackjack hand, then you currently have 14 points in total.

Busting

If your total hand is over 21 points, then you'll automatically Bust, and the round will be over but don't worry, you can't go Bust on the very first deal. Only if you decide to Hit (accept an extra card) can you go Bust.

Hit or Stand

• Hit - After you have received your two cards from the Dealer, you can decide if you want to take another card – you can do so by pushing the Hit button.
• Stand - If you want to keep only your current hand, press Stand to end your turn.

You can do more than just Hit or Stand in Online Blackjack. If you want to master the game and reduce the house edge to its lowest, you'll need to learn all the advanced options as well.

Split

If you're dealt a matching pair of cards, such as 2 x 5s or 2 x 10s, you can split them. Which means that you'll automatically make another matching bet, your cards will split apart into two separate hands and you'll receive another card with each hand.

Double Down

If you think by drawing one more card, you'll be in a strong position, then you can use the Double Down. It will double your bet, and you'll receive one more card which will then end your turn.

Surrender

Use the Surrender to forfeit your turn and receive half of your bet back. Sometimes it can be used after Splitting, depending on the blackjack variation you are playing.

Insurance

If the Dealer has an Ace card showing, you'll have the option to take Insurance. By choosing this option, you'll win if the Dealer's 2nd card is a 10. It pays 2:1.

Side Bets

Side bets allow you to place more wagers for the chance to gain extra wins even if your Blackjack hand doesn't beat the Dealer.
21+ 3
Betting on the 21+3 side bet allows you to try and make a three-card poker hand by using your first two dealt cards and dealers face-up card.

Perfect Pair

To bet on a Perfect Pair, place your bet on the Player's Pair betting area just beneath each Blackjack hand's individual betting spot. You can also bet on the Dealer's Pair.

• A Perfect Pair is when the first two cards dealt have the same number and suit, e.g. 2 x 6 of Diamonds.
• Coloured Pair is when the first two cards are matching their colour and number, such as a 5 of Clubs and 5 of Spades. Both cards are black.
• Red/Black Pair is when the first two cards have matching numbers, one is suited Red, and one is suited, Black.

• If you need help in-game, click the settings menu and then 'Help' to find info about how to play, payouts and an explanation of the game interface.

There are dozens of blackjack rule variations online. Each new rule changes the odds and strategies you’ll need to win the game. Find out more about the most popular blackjack variations in the UK:

• Classic Blackjack - The most traditional version of 21. An example of a table using these rules is Buster Blackjack or Playtech’s very popular Premium Blackjack variation.
• Cashback Blackjack - This variation offers you three exciting side bets and the option to cash out of each hand without the need to sacrifice your entire bet.
• Blackjack Multiplayer - There is up to 6 players competing against the dealer and the player that wins the most hands and increase their bankroll by the largest amount is the winner.
• Lucky Lucky Blackjack - Lucky Lucky is a bonus wager which uses the player’s first two cards as well as the dealer’s up-card in order to form a three card hand.
  
• Switch - Blackjack Switch allows you to change a card between two different hands.

Here's a quick tip to understanding the payout format - when you win a bet, you receive back your original stake plus an amount that's a multiple of your bet:

We mentioned how to use Split, Double and Surrender, but now let's talk about the optimal situation to use each option.

• Split - You don't want to Split your cards recklessly in the hopes it will increase your odds, because it won't. Be sure to use the table below to get the best chances to beat the Dealer,based on the visible card in his hand. If you want to keep things simple, just remember that you should always split a pair of 8’s or Aces, regardless of what card the dealer is showing.

• Double Down - Double your bet in return for just one card. As you'll see in the tables below, when to double down is heavily dependent if you have an Ace in your hand.

• Surrender - When should you forfeit your hand and receive half your original stake back? It heavily depends on the number of decks used and other factors. Most typically players surrender when the Dealer is showing an Ace card face-up, which means he may have a Blackjack hand.

If you want to seriously boost your casino bankroll then check out the latest Welcome Bonus Offers and Promotions available at your chosen casino before starting to play. You'll find plenty of goodies and perks, including some hand-crafted ones just for fans of Online Blackjack.

Don't just take our word for it – check your site’s dedicated casino bonuses page to see for yourself. Here, you can also view all T&Cs for wagering requirements and more.

With so many thrilling variations of Blackjack available, you may need a helping hand in understanding the ins and outs of the game. Here are some of the ways you can get assistance with any queries or issues you may have:

• In-game Help Menu - Open your selected game, and then click on the options menu (which looks like a wheel cog). From here you can select the Help option to view the game rules, including an explanation of the side bets and how to use the game interface. Also available is a Paytable to see the possible winning amounts from each bet available in the game.
• Customer Support - Each casino we recommend has an expertly trained Customer Support team who are always on-hand to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Many sites have teams available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can contact them via Live Chat, email or telephone, depending on the casino.

Online Blackjack offers some of the most player-friendly odds of all Online Casinos and is simple to learn. This combination may explain why it's one of the most popular casino games of all time and one which continues to develop new variations and side bets.

You can play against the computer or take on our Live Dealers in the battle for the strongest hand. If you don't already have an account, you can create one at one of our recommended online casinos.

Be sure to snap up your exclusive Welcome Bonus Package before hitting the tables to give your balance a boost.